Tired of reading about what is bad with people? Did you know God only judges on our holiness? There are no heavenly scales that weigh our good acts against our bad. God addresses solely the goodness in our lives at the judgement seat.
This seat as identified in Scripture in the Book of Revelation is just for those people, who have successfully finished a race. They come and stand in front of the judgement seat to receive their awards for performance.
In the Christian faith the only people, who finish the race are the ones, who have eternal life and citizenship in the Kingdom of Light (Kingdom of God). In the gospels, they are the ones, who have been born from above ("born again" is an inappropriate translation). They are the ones, according to Jesus, who love God above all things and their neighbor as themselves. Jesus understood the Holy Spirit is needed to do those two things. The same Spirit that gives eternal life.
At judgement, God will judge us as to how much of our lives we have turned over to the control of the Spirit. In other words, how holy are we? Which is truly good news, when compared with the works concept which balances good against the bad. Oh, I know there are people, who believe their good works out weigh their bad works. In the Spiritual realm they are immature beings, who actually believe they can gain eternal life on their own faith. They totally ignore the essential place of God’s Spirit in the great scheme of things.
Whenever we pray believing and ask God to forgive us, God is just and forgives us. Now comes the tremendous news of God’s grace. When God forgives a person, it is forgotten about for all eternity. It is gone! It is out of my life! This constant cleansing allows God’s people to work more on their goodness, instead of agonizing over their badness. That’s the basic good news I find in Christ Jesus, who God used to make this extra-ordinary formula work.
For this reason God challenges us to love one another. By this God means not judge, which means no evaluation or concern for my negative side, because that is between me and God. Instead we accept people for the goodness they have, no matter what level it has obtained.
What a wonderful world! A place where we only see good in people! Children will no longer tease others for their imperfections. Adults will not go to war to prove others wrong. People of God will join hands and let their light outshine all the darkness of this world. Yeah, I like that idea. We only deal with the good, just like God does it.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Stargazers and Navelgazers this Memorial Day and Pentecost
Memorial Day and Pentecost
Two people were looking at their town, where they had both spent their entire lives. Then one asked, "If you were all-powerful, what would you do?" The other replied, "I'd build walls around the entire town, so great that nothing would endanger this beautiful city."
The first old friend pushed his lips together and responded, "I'd lift the town high above all danger."
We humans seem to build walls of full of laws and controls around our communities and churches believing they will hold back the flow of evil.
But God lifts a person up by the Spirit, far above the reach of humanity’s destructive forces.
Prior to Pentecost God would reach down to one person or group and lifted them above the tides of destruction, as needed.
At Pentecost God let the Spirit loose for every child of God. No longer do we need to be over run with evil. The Spirit will always lifts us higher.
Our dock in the river is a platform, and the buoyant force beneath it, keeps it afloat.
We (Church) are like that dock. The outer area is where we enjoy, care for and expand our lives. God gives us, the church, a buoyant force - Holy Spirit. Thru the Spirit we ar able to rise above the common level of life. We are able to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. We can live high above the troubled waters of life.
Paraphrasing Gal 5:19-26, The acts of human nature are obvious: sexual transgression; love of idols and mysticism; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, gangs, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, etc..
But the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. To live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not be conceited, provoking and envying each other.
A sunken dock has no life. It is no fun!
A Church without the Spirit has no life. It has no fun!
A spiritual church is more powerful than a religious church.
A patriotic nation is more powerful than an oppressor nation.
Citizens who want a free lunch and have a sheep like attitude are the backbone of an oppressor nation.
Patriotic soldiers who give their lives (physically and emotionally) in the defense of freedom are the backbone of a truly patriotic nation.
Legalistic (my way or the highway) worshipers of laws are the greedy self-centered backbone of a religious church.
Spirit filled people who put God above all things are the backbone of a spiritual church.
Religiosity and Oppression cost you everything.
Patriotism and Pentecost cost you nothing.
Religiosity and Oppression are the Hallmarks of Navelgazers.
Patriotism and Pentecost are the Hallmarks of Stargazers.
Are you self centered or God centered? This Sunday let the Spirit of God fill you at worship and then Monday celebrate Memorial Day and fill your thanks for all of patriotic men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom. It is time for the Stargazers to be lifted up in our churches and our nation!
Two people were looking at their town, where they had both spent their entire lives. Then one asked, "If you were all-powerful, what would you do?" The other replied, "I'd build walls around the entire town, so great that nothing would endanger this beautiful city."
The first old friend pushed his lips together and responded, "I'd lift the town high above all danger."
We humans seem to build walls of full of laws and controls around our communities and churches believing they will hold back the flow of evil.
But God lifts a person up by the Spirit, far above the reach of humanity’s destructive forces.
Prior to Pentecost God would reach down to one person or group and lifted them above the tides of destruction, as needed.
At Pentecost God let the Spirit loose for every child of God. No longer do we need to be over run with evil. The Spirit will always lifts us higher.
Our dock in the river is a platform, and the buoyant force beneath it, keeps it afloat.
We (Church) are like that dock. The outer area is where we enjoy, care for and expand our lives. God gives us, the church, a buoyant force - Holy Spirit. Thru the Spirit we ar able to rise above the common level of life. We are able to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. We can live high above the troubled waters of life.
Paraphrasing Gal 5:19-26, The acts of human nature are obvious: sexual transgression; love of idols and mysticism; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, gangs, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, etc..
But the Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. To live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not be conceited, provoking and envying each other.
A sunken dock has no life. It is no fun!
A Church without the Spirit has no life. It has no fun!
A spiritual church is more powerful than a religious church.
A patriotic nation is more powerful than an oppressor nation.
Citizens who want a free lunch and have a sheep like attitude are the backbone of an oppressor nation.
Patriotic soldiers who give their lives (physically and emotionally) in the defense of freedom are the backbone of a truly patriotic nation.
Legalistic (my way or the highway) worshipers of laws are the greedy self-centered backbone of a religious church.
Spirit filled people who put God above all things are the backbone of a spiritual church.
Religiosity and Oppression cost you everything.
Patriotism and Pentecost cost you nothing.
Religiosity and Oppression are the Hallmarks of Navelgazers.
Patriotism and Pentecost are the Hallmarks of Stargazers.
Are you self centered or God centered? This Sunday let the Spirit of God fill you at worship and then Monday celebrate Memorial Day and fill your thanks for all of patriotic men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom. It is time for the Stargazers to be lifted up in our churches and our nation!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Law Day and Reason
The United States of America is out of step with much of the world. Today many people around this old planet celebrate May Day on May 1. In a land were freedom reigns we celebrate Law Day on May 1. Some how our news media and public seemed to miss that special day this year. Law Day, established in 1958 by President Eisenhower, is dedicated to the traditional American concept of respect for the law. Our law is established in a philosophy of freedom for the individual with common threads of decency required to live together in peace and harmony. The system is far from perfect, but it is the best yet devised for a government of laws and not men.
Unfortunately, poison vines have silently crept into every facet of our law. The vines of selfish interest and greed are entangled in every level of the mechanism of our law, which we call government. Remember the government is the law, not the elected or appointed officials. Our Law is an accumulation of modifications to the original foundation of law. Changes made by individuals approved by the electorate.
This poison crept slowly into our lives over the years. Will it take years to remove it? Not really. It doesn't even require throwing out the elected and appointed officials or even destroying the established government. A simple return of their focus to what's good for us and not what's good for them.
On Law Day, if those in power or with the ability to vote could have resolved to defend the law, our problems would be solved in a short span of time. For instance it takes millions of dollars and months to elect one representative to defend the law and define government. What happens if we establish one day on the calendar to hold primary elections across the land? Setting aside appointed TV times when each candidate for various positions could present their positions. After the primary election set five TV periods for presenting their positions in greater detail.
Eliminate matching funds for elections. Establish a standard of conduct in regards to all lobbyist. Forbid any and all candidates, elected officials or political parties from receiving monies from lobbyist or businesses. Make it socially unacceptable for any government official to be paid for making speeches to constituents. In short let the elected officials serve because they want to serve their nation and not their financial self interest.
Limit the smell of money and the foxes will lose interest in the hen house. The problem is not the government as those in the far left and right want us to believe. It is interference in decisions by individual self interest and greed.
Interestingly enough, self interest and greed are what elected officials believe they need to satisfy in the voters back home to stay in office. That's us folks! It is our turn to say we are more interested in what's good for the whole, not what's good for the few. Law Day is an opportune time to reestablish the law as our good friend not our foe.
The problem is not government or law. It's people. People who are bigots in regards to race, religion and creed - both to others and in favor of their own. People who refuse help to others in need. Lazy people who take handouts over hand ups. Over caring people who create systems that make laziness more rewarding than work. People who won't find a middle ground for the common good, in situations that demand our government or law intervene.
As the saying goes, "I have met the enemy and it is I!" And I want to do something about it. How? Urge these important changes. Encourage government to be responsible and do what's best for the whole of society. Support them while they are in office. Don't make them run for the next election the day they are sworn into office. Let them relax and lead. Be part of the solution not part of the problem.
Law Day reminds us that it is the Law that makes us free. Unselfish leaders created the Law we have today. God Bless the United States of America and the Law of the Land. Let the law of the Land and the Law of Reason return.
Unfortunately, poison vines have silently crept into every facet of our law. The vines of selfish interest and greed are entangled in every level of the mechanism of our law, which we call government. Remember the government is the law, not the elected or appointed officials. Our Law is an accumulation of modifications to the original foundation of law. Changes made by individuals approved by the electorate.
This poison crept slowly into our lives over the years. Will it take years to remove it? Not really. It doesn't even require throwing out the elected and appointed officials or even destroying the established government. A simple return of their focus to what's good for us and not what's good for them.
On Law Day, if those in power or with the ability to vote could have resolved to defend the law, our problems would be solved in a short span of time. For instance it takes millions of dollars and months to elect one representative to defend the law and define government. What happens if we establish one day on the calendar to hold primary elections across the land? Setting aside appointed TV times when each candidate for various positions could present their positions. After the primary election set five TV periods for presenting their positions in greater detail.
Eliminate matching funds for elections. Establish a standard of conduct in regards to all lobbyist. Forbid any and all candidates, elected officials or political parties from receiving monies from lobbyist or businesses. Make it socially unacceptable for any government official to be paid for making speeches to constituents. In short let the elected officials serve because they want to serve their nation and not their financial self interest.
Limit the smell of money and the foxes will lose interest in the hen house. The problem is not the government as those in the far left and right want us to believe. It is interference in decisions by individual self interest and greed.
Interestingly enough, self interest and greed are what elected officials believe they need to satisfy in the voters back home to stay in office. That's us folks! It is our turn to say we are more interested in what's good for the whole, not what's good for the few. Law Day is an opportune time to reestablish the law as our good friend not our foe.
The problem is not government or law. It's people. People who are bigots in regards to race, religion and creed - both to others and in favor of their own. People who refuse help to others in need. Lazy people who take handouts over hand ups. Over caring people who create systems that make laziness more rewarding than work. People who won't find a middle ground for the common good, in situations that demand our government or law intervene.
As the saying goes, "I have met the enemy and it is I!" And I want to do something about it. How? Urge these important changes. Encourage government to be responsible and do what's best for the whole of society. Support them while they are in office. Don't make them run for the next election the day they are sworn into office. Let them relax and lead. Be part of the solution not part of the problem.
Law Day reminds us that it is the Law that makes us free. Unselfish leaders created the Law we have today. God Bless the United States of America and the Law of the Land. Let the law of the Land and the Law of Reason return.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
International Peace Day? You are kidding! Right?
Did you know that there is a International Peace Day? Yep, September 19th is designated International Peace Day. It is either a forgotten day or a great joke on the world. One thing there is not today - international peace. Recently some publication reported forty-one wars being waged somewhere on this planet.
War and Peace are more than a great novel. They dominate our lives from the domestic violence in families and there resultant deaths to a world wide fear of terrorist. War is our oldest weakness. Peace is our oldest dream.
Story: An elderly cannibal sage and a missionary were comparing their philosophies. The cannibal reminisced about tribal wars he had fought, and how he had eaten his foes. The missionary said, "We fight wars for higher reasons - for truth, for defense of democracy, for freedom." "You must eat many, many people," said the cannibal. "Oh, no," said the missionary, "we don't eat human beings." "Then," said the cannibal sage,"you have no reason to kill each other."
No civilization yet created has been able to abolish war. In the last hundred years we have been in five significant conflicts. In the same period we have helped to establish two peace making bodies, the League of Nations and the United Nations to abolish war. This era also witnessed the greatest build up and development of armaments in world history. Humanity knows how to make war better than how to make peace. In the old days people went off to war. Today science and television can bring it right to you.
Story: Two pacifist were arguing about who was more idealistic. "I love peace so much," said one, "that I am willing to fight for it." "And I love peace so much," said the other, "that I am willing not to fight for it."
Peace is like an elusive butterfly. Beautiful to hunt and difficult to capture. Yet every group has begun with the ultimate goal of obtaining a peace. "To beat their swords into plowshares." Yet peace seems to be something humanity continues to fight over.
Franklin Roosevelt said, "Peace, like charity, begins at home." How right he was! Look at the religious wars in Ireland, Bosnia, India and other places. Then look at the religious wars at home. Roman Catholics against Protestants, Orthodox against Fundamentalist, "Saved" against "Unsaved" and so on and so forth.
Recently the front page of our paper had murder, suicide, domestic violence and murder trials all on the front page in one day! And we are arrogant enough to send missionaries to bring peace in the name of the Lord. If we could bottle the hate that many "Religious Coalitions" are generating, we would have enough to wage wars for the next hundred years.
Can’t we make every day International Peace Day? Can't we reach across our local boundaries and make peace in our own land. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
War and Peace are more than a great novel. They dominate our lives from the domestic violence in families and there resultant deaths to a world wide fear of terrorist. War is our oldest weakness. Peace is our oldest dream.
Story: An elderly cannibal sage and a missionary were comparing their philosophies. The cannibal reminisced about tribal wars he had fought, and how he had eaten his foes. The missionary said, "We fight wars for higher reasons - for truth, for defense of democracy, for freedom." "You must eat many, many people," said the cannibal. "Oh, no," said the missionary, "we don't eat human beings." "Then," said the cannibal sage,"you have no reason to kill each other."
No civilization yet created has been able to abolish war. In the last hundred years we have been in five significant conflicts. In the same period we have helped to establish two peace making bodies, the League of Nations and the United Nations to abolish war. This era also witnessed the greatest build up and development of armaments in world history. Humanity knows how to make war better than how to make peace. In the old days people went off to war. Today science and television can bring it right to you.
Story: Two pacifist were arguing about who was more idealistic. "I love peace so much," said one, "that I am willing to fight for it." "And I love peace so much," said the other, "that I am willing not to fight for it."
Peace is like an elusive butterfly. Beautiful to hunt and difficult to capture. Yet every group has begun with the ultimate goal of obtaining a peace. "To beat their swords into plowshares." Yet peace seems to be something humanity continues to fight over.
Franklin Roosevelt said, "Peace, like charity, begins at home." How right he was! Look at the religious wars in Ireland, Bosnia, India and other places. Then look at the religious wars at home. Roman Catholics against Protestants, Orthodox against Fundamentalist, "Saved" against "Unsaved" and so on and so forth.
Recently the front page of our paper had murder, suicide, domestic violence and murder trials all on the front page in one day! And we are arrogant enough to send missionaries to bring peace in the name of the Lord. If we could bottle the hate that many "Religious Coalitions" are generating, we would have enough to wage wars for the next hundred years.
Can’t we make every day International Peace Day? Can't we reach across our local boundaries and make peace in our own land. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
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